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2024-12-31-accounts

un connect Annual Report Period ending 31 December 2024 Charity No: 1198420 Bridging th• Digital Divide- Connocting the unconnocttrd

un For nearly 3 billion people, internet access offers a lifeline out of generational poverty.

OUR VISION No digital poverty

OUR MISSION To connect 1 billion people to the internet

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The impact

Connectivity enables a way out of poverty for many people through:

o o education o access to healthcare (support with drug rehabilitation, loneliness & mental health)

o safety o access to jobs o effective trade o access to benefits, housing, visa applications, drug rehabilitation

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Who are we?

We are a registered charity building an ecosystem of partners globally that create lasting impact to bridge the digital divide. We focus on catalyzing local players to deliver self sustainable solutions to connect the developing world.

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connecte 2024 Annual Report

The trustees are pleased to present their annual directors’ report together with the consolidated financial statements of the charity for the period ending 31 December 2024.

the Charities SORP (FRS 102) (effective 01 January 2015).

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Reference and Administrative Information
Charity Name The Unconnected Foundation
Charity Reg. No 1198420
Independent Examiner:
Principal Location 124 City Road, London
Jason Foxwell
EC1V 2NX
PO Box 9846
Poole United Kingdom
BH15 9JZ
jason@independent-examiner.net
07939 806705
Board of Trustees: Bankers:
Atul Wahi (Chair) Wise, 56 Shoreditch High St,
Carolina Almeida Cruz London, E1 6JJ
Steve Logue
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~~Structure, Governance and Management~~

The Unconnected Foundation is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), registered with the charity commission with charity number 1198420 on the 29th of March 2022 and governed by the deed of trust last updated on the 21st of March 2023.

Organisational Structure:

The independent trustees are responsible and oversee the general management of the charity, the trustees give their time freely and without remuneration or other financial benefits. The trustees meet once a quarter to hear and all major decisions are presented for approval. This includes the strategic direction of the charity, any and all initiatives for the acquiring of funds and the distribution of funds. The financial status of the charity is presented and approved by the trustees.

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~~Structure, Governance and Management~~

Recruitment and appointment of trustees:

Those appointed must act solely in the best interests of the charity and not in the interests of the organisation that appointed them. In selecting individuals for appointment as Trustees, the Trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. The Trustees may, by and from their number and from time to time, elect such officers (chair, secretary, treasurer) as they see fit.

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~~Structure, Governance and Management~~

Management:

The organisation operated with only 3 senior management and expects to continue to do so.

Contractors:

2024 saw some growth in the use of contractors, typically to help execute roles during projects funded by our grantors.

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~~Volunteers~~

Volunteers:

Volunteers were an important resource in helping us achieve our goals in 2024. 20+ volunteers have continued to support us, some now for multiple years using their core skills in actively progressing the organisation and promoting our cause globally. In 2024, volunteers played critical operational roles in rolling our projects the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, across northern Malawi and as remote as the Amazon jungle in Colombia.

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Objectives & Activities

~~Our aims~~

Nearly 3 billion people don’t have access to the internet globally and perhaps 4 billion don’t have adequate access for equal opportunity. Our multi-year vision remains unchanged, we want to get 1 billion of them online.

Our organisation believes that internet access is a key component in this digital age for people to have equal access to opportunities in life. Digital skills and tools are critical to lift people out of poverty. We seek to bridge the digital divide and have internet access and skills reach people who need it.

In 2024, our strategy shifted from a majority of our work being conducted in the UK to around 80% now being focused internationally in low and medium income countries (LMICs). Particular focus in 2024 shifted to the Philippines, Malawi, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Colombia and Mexico.

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~~Strategies~~

In 2024, we continued our work across several key initiatives aimed at bridging the digital divide and creating lasting impact:

Through these initiatives, we continue to drive meaningful change, ensuring that connectivity becomes a tool for empowerment rather than a barrier to progress.

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Shift in

~~approach~~

In 2024, building on key learnings, our focus shifted from providing aid to empowering local communities with the tools to connect their own people by:

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Plans for future periods

product offerings for local entrepreneurs, accelerating affordable internet access in LMIC countries.

solutions, solar power options, device financing and refurbishment programs, and learning software. Our key collaborations with Starlink, the Internet Society, and Microsoft Airband are expected to drive the connectED initiative, reaching over 5,000 schools. In 2024, we are focusing on seven countries, with plans to expand to approximately 12 by 2025.

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~~How do our activities deliver public beneft?~~

The trustees acknowledge that they have read, digested and have due regard for the Charity Commissions published guidance on public benefit.

The value of internet access is no longer seen as a luxury but as a necessity . Those who remain unconnected are often among the most economically disadvantaged, with limited opportunities for advancement.

Our Focus on Digital Education

While not our sole priority, we place a strong emphasis on providing internet access to students aged 12-16, particularly young females. Studies show that developing digital skills at this stage increases the likelihood of completing education, enhances employability, and enables economic participation—whether in formal jobs, remote work, or entrepreneurial activities. For young women, these skills are especially vital, offering opportunities even if they are homebound as mothers, caregivers, or working in agriculture.

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Activities and Achievements

2024 was a big year

Our projects have impacted 4.5m people

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~~How do our activities deliver public beneft?~~

Our work delivers by enabling students to complete their education, boosting employment prospects, and uplifting entire communities. By collaborating with key partners, we ensure digital access drives equitable opportunities rather than deepening inequality.

Example 1 - Keeping Students Connected: MIT Emerging Talent Initiative

We support MIT Emerging Talent by ensuring students in the program remain connected. Without internet access, many talented individuals would struggle to engage in remote learning, mentorship, and research. Our support allows them to fully participate and develop skills that drive future innovation. Example 2 - Empowering Schools Through Strategic Partnerships We involve public partners such as DING and ING to include us in their CSR efforts supporting schools in regions of their choosing, providing funding to not only connect the schools with internet access but also to kit the schools out with hardware and software that enables learning opportunities.

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Financial Review 21

Statement of Trustees responsibilities

The charity trustees are responsible for ensuring that proper accounting records are kept with reasonable accuracy at any time reflects the financial position of the charity and for authorising the annual report and financial statements in accordance to the Charities Act 2011 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the provisions of the trust deed.

They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity (if any exist) hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The law applicable to Charities in England and Wales requires the charity's trustees to authorise the financial statement each year which gives a fair view of the affairs of the charity and the incoming resources and the application of those resources of the charity for that period.

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The trustees for the purpose of the charity law who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out on page 8.

Approved by the trustees and signed on its behalf by:

Atul Wahi (Chairperson) ………………………………………………………. Date: 5 April, 2025

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Independent examiner’s report to the Trustees of the Unconnected Foundation for the period ended 31 DECEMBER 2024

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the CIO for the period ended 31 December 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the Act. Independent examiner’s statement

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of both the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Association of Charitable Independent Examiners (ACIE), both of which are listed bodies.

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Independent examiner’s report (continued)

in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Jason Foxwell FCCA FCIE independent-examiner.net PO Box 9846, Poole, BH15 9JZ

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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

All the charity’s activities derive from continuing operations. The notes on pages 30 to 34 form an integral part of these accounts.

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BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Atul Wahi Trustee and Chair Date: 5 April,2025 The notes on pages 30 to 34 form an integral part of these accounts.

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STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2024 2023
£ £
Net cash used in operating activities 348,068 255,505
Cash inflows from investing activities:
Purchase of fixed assets (31,310) (41,816)
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the period 316,758 213,689
Reconciliation:
Cash and cash equivalent brought forward 222,726 9,037
Total cash and cash equivalents carried forward 539,484 222,726

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CASH FLOW NOTES

The notes
an integral
accounts.		 on pages 30 to 34 form
part of these		 Reconciliation of net movement in funds to
net cash used in operating activities
£
£
Net movement in funds for the period
276,633
213,809
Adjustments for:
Add back depreciation charge
24,564
3,169
Decrease/(increase) in stock
6,401
65,742
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
(32,011)
(25,078)
Increase/(Decrease) in creditors
72,481
(2,137)
Net cash used in operating activities
348,068
255,505

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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1.1. Basis of preparation of the accounts

Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)).

  1. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

1.2. Going Concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charity.

1.3. Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the Trustees. Unrestricted funds include designated funds where the Trustees, at their discretion, have created a fund for a specific purpose.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the Charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. Where necessary, a quarterly report is sent to the donor detailing the expenditure.

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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 CONTINUED

1.4. Income

Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the CIO has entitlement to the funds, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Gifts in kind including donations of SIM cards, MiFi devices and other equipment are valued and recognised as income at the date of receipt by the charity and included in stock.

1.5. Expenditure

Expenditure is charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. It is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Gifts in kind as noted in 1.4 above are realised as expenditure from stock at the point they are donated from the charity to the beneficiary.

1.6. Stock

The CIO holds stock in the form of telecom equipment which has been either purchased or donated to the charity but not yet given to beneficiaries. A valuation of the stock is made as at the accounting reference date to account for any impairment of the values.

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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 CONTINUED

2. OTHER CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE

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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 CONTINUED

3. TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

The Charity’s Trustees were not paid and did not receive any other benefits, nor were reimbursed and expenses during the period (or prior year).

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

There were no related party transactions during the period.

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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 CONTINUED

5. RESTRICTED FUNDS

Opening Income Expenditure Closing balance balance £ £ £ £ £78,476 £136,088 £(178,895) £35,669 ═════ ═════ ═════ ═════

RESTRICTED FUNDS PROJECTS

1. Internet Society Foundation - Malawi

The donation from Internet Society Foundation was used to connect internet to 64 schools in Malawi to enhance their education and bridging the digital divide in rural areas.

2. Access Foundation – Malaysia

This donation from the Access Foundation was used to connect schools in Malaysia, ensuring students and teachers have reliable internet access so that lack of connectivity does not hinder their education.

3. Connecting Schools and Communities along the Amazon River, Colombia

The donation from 48percent was used to connect students and communities along the Amazon River in Colombia and help them build a sustainable system.

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Thank you No digital poverty

Contact

help@unconnected.org

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